32 The Naturalist of Cumbrae. 



CHAPTER V. 



SMUGGLERS MISHAPS LIFE ON A MOORLAND 

 FARM. 



WHEN David was nearly fourteen, the time had come 

 when it was proper for him to have an increase of 

 wages. He was already receiving much more than 

 an ordinary herd boy of his class would cost Mr. 

 Young. He now, therefore, obtained an engagement 

 with a neighbouring farmer, who also kept sheep, but 

 on a somewhat different principle. Here only ewes 

 were kept, and the lambs sold when ready for market. 

 David's duty was to look after the sheep every morn- 

 ing, and to assist with the farm work. 



Smuggling, the name given to illicit distilling of 

 whisky, was then common on the moors in that side 

 of the country, and the farmers gave assistance with 

 their horses, carting anthracite, or "blind coals," as 

 they were called. These, having no smoke, did not 

 betray the whereabouts of the smugglers when work- 

 ing by day. The malt and barm were brought from 

 Glasgow. At that period there was no duty on the 

 malt, and it could be carried openly at any time, but 

 when the moor was approached it was generally after 

 dark. 



